Demonstrations Against Taiji’s Brutal Dolphin Hunts to Take Place at Japanese Embassies and Consulates in the U.S. and Overseas

Original art concept by Cassie RandallAs Valentine’s Day nears, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is calling on supporters and concerned individuals around the world to join with us and our Sea Shepherd Cove Guardians as we show our love for dolphins and call for an end to the brutal capture and slaughter of cetaceans in Taiji’s infamous cove.

On Friday, February 13, Sea Shepherd will show Japan just how much the world reveres dolphins with peaceful “World Love for Dolphins Day” demonstrations across the U.S. and overseas. Sea Shepherd USA chapters will host demos at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. and Japanese consulates in cities across the nation, in solidarity with Sea Shepherd’s volunteer Cove Guardians currently on the ground in Taiji.

** Please note that because Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday this year, when embassies and consulates will be closed, the “World Love for Dolphins Day” demonstrations are being held on Friday, February 13. Please check the correct location and time of the event nearest you. **

“Each year, entire families of cetaceans are driven into the cove and brutally separated, as pod members are either kidnapped and sold for captivity or ruthlessly killed. The Cove Guardians have seen firsthand the depth of the relentless greed and brutality in Taiji, but the love of dolphins, deeply felt by people around the world, is stronger than the killers’ desire for profit could ever be,” said Sea Shepherd Senior Cove Guardian Campaign Leader, Melissa Sehgal. “Please join Sea Shepherd as we ask Japan to heed the international community’s call for compassion and a forever peaceful, blue cove.”

How can you participate in “World Love for Dolphins Day” demonstrations?

1. Demonstrate at Japanese Embassies and Consulates

Sea Shepherd will be demonstrating outside the following Japanese consulates and the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. Join Sea Shepherd and Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardians at these locations to remind the Japanese government that the Taiji dolphin drive hunts bring dishonor to the entire nation of Japan, and that the world is calling on Japan to end the bloodshed. Download & print a poster, and join us.

Demonstrations will be held outside the following locations. Please check the times for your demo location:

Please note: Any locations outside of USA territory are to be considered "unofficial” Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) events organized by local volunteers and will NOT involve Sea Shepherd Global or other Sea Shepherd entities outside of SSCS/SS USA

2. Take a “selfie” picture, either at one of our demonstrations or wherever you may be in the world, holding your “World Love for Dolphins” Day sign and send it to Sea Shepherd! We will post your selfies on our social media pages to proudly display your love for dolphins! Download our "selfie" image.

Sea Shepherd invites our global supporters and dolphin lovers to join in World Love for Dolphins Day and bring their concern to the doorstep of the Japanese government in cities around the world on the same day. If you are interested in organizing a demonstration at a Japanese embassy or consulate near you, please email worldlovefordolphins@seashepherd.org to set up your approved event.

For a staggering six months of each year, from September 1 until March, entire families of dolphins and small whales are driven into Taiji’s killing cove. Once netted within the shallow waters of the cove, their fate is sealed and the members of these doomed pods will face either imprisonment in captivity or brutal slaughter before the eyes of their families. Killers and trainers work side-by-side to select the “prettiest” dolphins and whales for captivity, those without visible scars. The others are mercilessly stabbed with a metal spike inserted into their backs, just behind the blowhole, to sever their spine. The dolphins slowly and painfully bleed to death or drown in the blood of their famly—others may die as they are dragged to the butcherhouse, where the once living and free cetaceans are processed into meat for human consumption. These inhumane killings would not be allowed in any slaughterhouse in the world. Japan refuses to sign on to many protection efforts and regulations for marine mammals, despite most of the world recognizing the need to protect these self-aware, beloved and imperiled animals.

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society first brought the cove to the world’s attention by capturing and releasing now-iconic footage and imagery of the brutal hunts and slaughters in 2003, during which the cove turned a blood-red. Later the Academy Award-winning film The Cove again shone a spotlight on the hunts, bringing worldwide attention to the killings. Many individuals thought the film succeeded in bringing an end to the hunts, but that was not the case. So in 2010, Sea Shepherd established Operation Infinite Patience and our volunteer Cove Guardians took up positions alongside the cove to document, report and live stream these atrocities in the hope of capturing attention to bring pressure to bear to stop these barbaric acts. Sea Shepherd is the only organization to have a team on the ground in Taiji each day throughout the entire six-month killing season, and the only group who live streams every capture and every kill for the world to see. Sea Shepherd’s Cove Guardians will not stop shining a light on this atrocity until the slaughter ends.